Man charged in shooting of Chicago police officer

A 20-year-old man was charged with attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of Chicago Police Officer Del Pearson, authorities said late last night.

Paris Sadler, of the 8400 block of South Kingston Avenue, will appear for a bond hearing today on the attempted first-degree murder charge.

Pearson, a South Chicago District tactical unit officer, was shot in the chest above his vest during an exchange of gunfire with Sadler about 10:45 p.m. Monday on that block of South Kingston.

Superintendent Garry McCarthy lauded investigators for building a "very, very, very solid case" around witness statements and ballistics evidence linking Sadler to the shooting.

"We all know that there's a lot more work to do," McCarthy said. "But this is a very significant first step in bringing this case to closure."

McCarthy said Pearson's family was with him at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn Wednesday night and they were "ecstatic."

Pearson is able to speak, despite being heavily medicated for pain.

"He's in good enough spirits to make some jokes," McCarthy said at a news conference Wednesday night.

McCarthy credited quick action by Sgt. Chris Kapa and tactical squad Officer Kirsten Lund, who arrived at the scene and quickly realized Pearson could not wait for an ambulance.

Pearson was bleeding heavily -- doctors said he had lost two-thirds of the blood in his body by the time he reached the hospital -- and Kapa opted to drive Pearson immediately to the hospital in a squad car.

Lund sat in back and tended to her fellow tactical officer-- and vice versa, she said.

Pearson had responded to a "juvenile disturbance" on the block and encountered four people initially suspected of violating curfew, police have said. Sadler ran away and Pearson gave chase.

The two ended up in a front yard when Sadler opened fire, striking Pearson, who also fired, in the chest, police said.

Sadler was arrested at his home shortly thereafter.

Police executed two search warrants during the investigation and recovered at least two guns. But police could not say whether they recovered the weapon used against Pearson.

Pearson joined the department in 2003 and has received 109 department awards and commendations, including the Superintendent's Award of Valor after he shot and killed a man during an exchange of gunfire in July of 2007, police said.